Diabetes with a smile–

snacks

It’s coming folks — the 4th of July! A great day for those of us in the U.S.A. who have so much to be grateful for. Parades, ceremonies, and then the Sacred Barbecue! Who doesn’t like a good BBQ? Fire up those grills.

Be sure to add a salad to your plate. I’m talking about a green salad — beware of the potato and macaroni salad, pasta salads that will shoot up your blood sugar. Not worth it — watch out for the carbs and add the proteins instead.

BEST THING TO DO BEFORE YOU LEAVE YOUR HOME TO GO TO THE BBQ = Drink an 8oz glass of water and have a healthy snack. By doing that, you won’t be “famished” when you arrive and overwhelmed by the temptation.

IS IT EVEN POSSIBLE TO RAISE YOUR BLOOD SUGAR, SIMPLY BY THINKING ABOUT JUNK FOOD???

No way, right? Here’s what happened —

I started the day by eating that first important meal later in the day than is my normal routine. I ate the correct portions of the healthy foods I’d planned for breakfast. At this point, my blood sugar was perfecto!

Skipped having a snack — no need, because I got up late. (I know, I know.)

Company was coming for lunch, so I went to the store to get a few healthy items to be sure I’d stay on track. It was difficult shopping. I was getting hungry, and guess what was calling me? Yep, my favorite junk foods.

I stuck to my list, while — Kathy, one little cookie won’t hurt you was being screamed through my head. I flew past the candy aisle — detoured down another section, to avoid the pastries in the Bakery. I’m almost out. WHY can’t I get this junk out of my head????

The real test was still ahead, the dreaded line at the register. It was my turn and, as I’ve been doing lately, I faced the conveyor belt, placed my items on it, with my back to the you know what. I REFUSED to listen to the York Peppermint Patties, Hershey bars, and Reeses’ Pieces, singing in unison to get my attention. Focusing on the register and my items moving along, I jumped further up and started packing — fast, really fast. “Thank you, have a nice day,” from the cashier, and I was on my way to the car. Safe.

Thoughts of what had just happened bounced around my brain on the short drive home. Why is this still happening? I’m doing so well.

Company arrived and we enjoyed our conversation and lunch. Mine was just a sandwich and half an apple. (Normally, I cut one slice of toast horizontally so I’m still having a “real” sandwich, but only one slice of bread.) What happened? No clue. We were talking and laughing. My brain was somewhere else, and I didn’t even notice what I’d done. 2 slices consumed, a “regular” sandwich. Ugh. I determined that it would be fine — no cheese, mayo, etc., so maybe that would make up for the extra slice. No dessert for me.

Doesn’t sound like a big deal, right?

Imagine my surprise when, later, I stabbed my finger and that healthy blood seeped out onto the test strip and the numbers went UP!!! I was crazed. How could this be? Impossible. NO, NO, NO!

I grabbed that miserable glucometer and looked more closely, hoping that I’d read it wrong. I shook it, turned it over, shook it again. It MUST be broken.

Of course, at this moment, I’m vulnerable. Creeping in, ever-so-slowly, and then like a barrage of gunfire, my thoughts ran amuck! ALL I could think about were all-things covered in chocolate.

Finally, that’s it! I’m going to Dollar Tree. Candy, cookies, cakes, were in my future– and only $1/each. I don’t care. Nothing’s working, blah, blah, blah. All I did was THINK about the tempting treats, and my blood sugar went up. There’s no justice in this world, I ranted in my mind to my “crazy” self.

By the time I’d put my shoes on, bag and car keys in hand, ready to go, I had a sudden epiphany.

Are you nuts? (Yes.) Stop! You’ve worked too hard to cave now. I sat down and listened to my now sane self speaking the voice of reason. I didn’t go. But, I was concerned that it wouldn’t be long before I did.

I’ve been taking the train from my home into the city forever. Usually, I pass the time reading a newspaper or book, but there are those days when I people-watch and peruse the posters/ads on the walls of the trains.

A poster for Air France, splashed across the wall of the train, may have a beautiful photo of the aircraft, along with additional pictures of the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Louvre. As an avid traveler, the photos pull me into my thoughts of Paris and paint a smile across my face. This diversion helps to shorten my trip home.

That’s just one example among many; I’ve traveled, in my mind, to Germany, London, Africa, Russia, thanks to these posters. In addition to the travel posters, there are many regarding health, education, fashion, etc. All of them help to move the clock forward for many a weary passenger.

So imagine my surprise, last Monday, while coming home from a class in the city, I looked up, only to see an enormous poster of a chocolate-covered, cream-filled Yodel! It was dinner time, and I was ravenous. I looked away, as if not looking at it would make the temptation disappear. It was SCREAMING at me, Kathy, I’m over here. Look! I’m right here. Slowly, I glanced at it again, and I thought I might actually cry. Printed at the bottom of the poster was, “Don’t resist the temptation.”

I scoured the train, looking at every passenger. Satan. He’s here. I know it.

My mouth was watering. The dark, chocolate-covered Yodel was depicted as a shiny treat consisting of fresh, “devils” food chocolate cake, chock full of creamy white joy! My heart was racing, my palms sweaty. I was in pain.

A conversation took place in my brain. WHY would they write that sentence? It’s irresponsible advertising — Don’t they know what they’re doing? Of course they do! If it were a bottle of scotch, would they advise the reader not to resist the temptation? I think not. But then, you never know.

My destination was approaching. I got up, lowering my eyes to avoid viewing the tempting poster, and moved to the exit in the opposite direction. It was calling me. Finally, the doors of the train opened, and I escaped! I ran for my life.

Once off the train, I never looked back. I walked swiftly along the platform and down the stairs to “safety.” My car was a few rows back; I couldn’t wait to get into it. I started the engine, but not before taking a deep breath. I counted my blessings.

Managing diabetes is difficult at best. This post may sound like an exaggeration to the non-diabetic, but to those addicted to sugar, I’ll bet you can relate. 🙂
Posted by K Keevins at 2:01 AM 2 comments: